FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Recruitment #1902-5564-001

Introduction

As a member of the Mayor’s Cabinet, the Fire and Police Commission Executive Director is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor; the appointment of the Fire and Police Commission Executive Director requires confirmation by the Common Council.

ABOUT MILWAUKEE

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big-city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee brings together its unsurpassed old world charm with a breathtaking art museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities and great restaurants.

ABOUT THE MILWAUKEE FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSION

The Fire and Police Commission (FPC) was established in 1885 by state law and is one of the oldest police oversight agencies in the nation. The Commission’s authority and responsibility are set forth in Wisconsin Statute Section 62.50, the Milwaukee City Charter Chapter 22.10, and the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances Chapter 314. The current seven citizen board members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Common Council.

The Commission’s primary responsibility is policy oversight, including monitoring and prescribing the policies and standards of both the Fire and Police Departments. This oversight authority is exercised by board action and regular audit and research relative to the Fire and Police department operational initiatives and disciplinary actions. The Commission also conducts ongoing analysis of the Milwaukee Police Department’s use of force incidents and uses the information as a foundation for policy and training improvement. Other functions of the Commission include:

  • establishing recruitment and testing standards for positions in the Fire and Police Departments and appointing all employees of the two public safety departments;
  • hearing appeals by members of either department who have been disciplined by their Chief;
  • independently investigating and monitoring citizen complaints; and
  • disciplining employees for misconduct.

As it continues to improve relations between the police department and the public in particular, the Commission continues to examine the recommendations articulated in the draft DOJ Collaborative Report and to develop policy initiatives related to those recommendations. Additionally, in the sphere of emergency management, the Commission is working with the Mayor and Common Council to consolidate the positions of Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and Emergency Communications and Policy Director to better reflect the needs of the City and to create an Office of Emergency Management and Communications that will oversee all aspects of emergency management, including radios and the 911 system.

The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission is a member of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) and has adopted its Code of Ethics. For more information, visit www.milwaukee.gov/fpc.

Purpose

As a member of the Mayor’s cabinet and as chief administrator of the functions performed by the citizen Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, the Fire and Police Commission (FPC) Executive Director provides leadership, guidance, and coordination in public safety matters. The FPC Executive Director is responsible for all policy, financial, operational, and strategic matters of the Fire and Police Commission.

Essential Functions

  • Monitor daily operations of the fire and police departments, and provide administrative, policy, and operational leadership, guidance, and expert advice to the citizen board, mayor, police chief, fire chief, public officials, and community members.
  • Provide guidance and direction to staff and professional consultants in the administration and execution of all recruitment, testing, and hiring functions and activities of the police and fire departments, in accordance with applicable state statutes and FPC rules.
  • Manage the citizen complaint program, audit police internal investigations, perform independent investigations of police misconduct, advise and direct internal affairs and commission investigators during investigations of misconduct, oversee the mediation of specified complaints, and determine the final disposition or referral for adjudication.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships and serve as the point of contact and public information liaison for news media, community members, elected officials, and other diverse public and private agencies.
  • Serve as chief administrator for the citizen Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. Guide board members and develop the board agenda in carrying out its statutory functions of overseeing and exercising final authority on all aspects of civilian oversight of the policies, discipline, organization, hiring and promotion, and daily operations of the police and fire departments.
  • Review and analyze all aspects of personnel management, test development and examinations, hiring and promotions, disciplinary actions, and monitoring of the daily operations, policies, and training of the fire and police departments.
  • Oversee the disciplinary appeals process and quasi-judicial administrative hearings for all sworn and civilian employees.
  • Manage the daily operations of the department, including budget development and administration, personnel management, and supervision of staff.
  • Oversee the operations of the City of Milwaukee Office of Emergency Management and Communications, including disaster preparedness and response. Provide oversight of Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) and other multi-million dollar federal grant allocations and expenditures.

Minimum Requirements

  1. Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice, public administration, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university required. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) approved law school is desirable.
  2. Five years of increasingly responsible managerial experience in a civilian oversight, criminal justice, investigative, or legal setting performing work relating to this position.
  3. Experience working with multicultural/multiethnic communities and demonstrated success in bridging community and institutional concerns about fairness and justice issues.
  4. Valid Driver’s License at time of appointment and throughout employment.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job will be considered.

IMPORTANT NOTE: College transcripts are required and must be emailed as an attachment to krurban@milwaukee.gov by the application closing date and time. Student/unofficial copies are acceptable; however, your transcript must be legible and include your college/university name, your name, the degree completed, and the date completed.

Knowledges, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

KNOWLEDGE OF:

  • Principles and practices of program planning, management, administration, and budgeting.
  • Principles of criminal law, constitutional law, and law enforcement liability.
  • Principles of law enforcement policy development and evaluation, training and instruction, and work performance assessments.
  • Relevant employment laws, including discrimination and labor laws, relevant administrative rules, and effective disciplinary policies and procedures.
  • Public records and open meetings laws.
  • Methods and techniques of research, policy review, data analysis, and evaluation.
  • Principles and practices relative to the intake and review of complaints and methods of complaint resolution.
  • The capabilities of information technology to improve organizational effectiveness.

SKILL TO:

  • Take responsibility for program/policy development, implementation, and monitoring activities.
  • Establish long range objectives, strategies, and actions to achieve those objectives.
  • Identify measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance.
  • Oversee and monitor the investigation of sensitive matters in unionized public agencies.
  • Express ideas clearly and confidently one-on-one and before groups, committees, and the media.
  • Write effectively for a variety of audiences.
  • Establish effective working relationships with diverse members of the public, colleagues, elected officials, and representatives of various agencies.
  • Oversee the development and execution of community outreach plans.

ABILITY TO:

  • Exercise strong executive level leadership and function successfully as a cabinet member in a challenging political, fiscal, and legal environment.
  • Work independently, fairly, and objectively among opposing interests.
  • Facilitate, mediate, and resolve complex and sensitive issues brought forth by concerned individuals.
  • Define issues, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and develop sound conclusions and recommendations in accordance with laws, regulations, rules, and policies.
  • Plan, organize, set priorities, and exercise judgment within area of responsibility.
  • Build a successful team through effective hiring, management, training, and coaching.
  • Understand and interpret City rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and local, state, and federal legislation pertaining to areas of assigned responsibility.
  • Serve the public with honesty and integrity.

Current Salary

The current salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $103,841-$145,382 annually and the non-resident salary range is $101,294-$141,815 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Health and Dental Insurance
  • Comprehensive Wellness Program
  • Onsite Clinic Services
  • Onsite Employee Assistance Program
  • Alternative Work Schedules
  • Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Tuition Benefits
  • Paid Vacation
  • 11 Paid Holidays
  • Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
  • Flexible Spending Arrangement
  • Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit http://city.milwaukee.gov/Benefits2019.

Selection Process

SELECTION PROCESS:

  • Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which should be detailed in a cover letter and resume.
  • Please send the cover letter, resume, and college (and graduate, if applicable) transcripts via email to krurban@milwaukee.gov by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2019.
  • Please indicate “Fire and Police Commission Executive Director” in the subject line.
  • Questions relative to the selection process may be directed to Kristin Hennessy Urban by calling 414.286.8643.
  • The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process.

INITIAL FILING DATE: The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after Friday, May 3, 2019. Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

Conclusion

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.